BRITISH COAL INDUSTRY

Hokitika Guardian, 18 November 1929, Page 2

BRITISH COAL INDUSTRY

CABINET’S PROPOSALS

(British Official! Wireless)

RUGBY, November 14

The final decision of the Miners’ Federation to accept and support the Government proposals for the mining industry will not he taken until the conference of national delegates meets next week. Several of the district councils have, however, already accepted the proposals for their respective areas, and there- is little doubt that the Federation will adopt the recommendation of its executive and accept the Government plans.

Legislation will be shortly introduced giving effect to these proposals. In some quarters it is considered probable that the Government Bill will include provision for a National Board, similar in outline to that working satisfactorily m the railway industry, to which the district conciliation organisations can appeal, when necessary, on points relating to wages and conditions of work.

Meanwhile, although the Mining Association, which is an organisation ol the owners,, maintains, as a body, its opposition to the Government plans on hours and wages, the coal owners of .South and West Yorkshire have issued the text of resolutions declaring their acceptance of the Government’s proposals, and expressing the view that the Government “should not, in the general interests of the industry, he left without the assistance of the coal owners in framing legislative proposals.” The seven and a half hours day, which is to become operative under Cabinet’s scheme, is already operative in Yorkshire.